Chapter-211

Birthday gift

Jay-jay's POV

When I suddenly stared at the world map. The Philippines was just a dot,
while New York was a rash. It was so far away! It was the other side of the world! Where would Papa be? If I
go with him, how long would we be in New York? What about my studies? What about Grandma? What about
the people I'll leave behind here? What if we never come back? What if... What if... What if... What if... I had so
many questions! I crumpled up the map in no time. I couldn't understand what I was feeling. It was as if I was
excited and scared. I was so excited that I wanted to go with him that I felt like I had butterflies in my
stomach. I couldn't sit still in my seat. A big part of me was saying that I should go with him. Of course! I'd see
Papa. But there was a part of me that was saying that I couldn't go. Tsk! I'm so annoyed! The other thing I was
thinking about was Kuya Angelo. I knew he wouldn't let me. Aunt Gema and Mama wouldn't let me either. But
what Percy said was clear to me . 'I'll run away if they don't let you. As long as you come with me.' -Percy Are
we going to run away? Jusme.... Maybe they'll pick us up somewhere else. It's like we're a couple trying to
hide. I don't think I can do that.I looked at my cellphone when it rang. Oh, a text message arrived . Who was it
rom? It was from GagongBaliw who kept sending me text messages. Here it is again! Skin! From:
GagongBaliw Message: my life, my wife... My forehead furrowed. I really felt strange about this texter. I had to
borrow David's social instinct. I really wanted to know who this traitor was. When it hit me in the face. My
cellphone screen almost shattered while typing a message to Gunggong who kept texting me. My reply to him
was sweet. To: GagongBaliw Message: You're welcome! Oh right? My reply was sweet! I just wanted to see if
his nose didn't smoke with anger. Anyone would get angry if you cursed at him in a text when you didn't do
anything wrong. And when my cellphone rang. I was still smiling as I read his message. From: GagongBaliw
Message: ILoveYouToo! My jaw dropped as my eyes fluttered shut. I wanted to bang my cellphone against the
wall out of annoyance----but alas, I had just replaced it. I really wanted to face this animal. Even if it was just
once. I would just let him feel the sweetness of my fist. An idea came to my mind. I just don't know if it would
work. To: GagongBaliw Message: Meet tyo... Gs2 kita mkita.
I really hope the dam will bite. My cellphone rang again,
indicating his answer.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: Are you ready to make love skin. 😉 Oh my!
The animal is a son of a Gago. All I can say to him is, it's so crunchy
and deep, YOUR PUTANG'NA MO! The
head is shaking. I just want to know who this is, I'll go super 4 with it.
It feels good to be smashed by his punch in the face. I'm really shaking. I get even more
annoyed when I think that I know this animal.
Is this Keifer?
Impossible! He wouldn't be doing this kind of thing. And what's the point of
him texting if it's him----just in case. Is he tripping me?
Entertainment? Well, his trip in life is really strange.
'I'm just playing around.'
Shit! It feels like something twitches in my heart when I remember what
he said. He was actually looking at me while he said that. So everything
he showed her was just a game.
Irritated!
I slammed my cellphone down on the study table. Some of
my belongings shook, like piles of papers. It moved slightly
and an invitation appeared.
I slowly picked it up and my heart almost broke when I saw
it. Ci-N's invitation! I sat up on the bed.
Ci-N's birthday...
I remembered her crying in front of me again. The words
she let out while crying and trying to wipe away her tears. That's when I
realized that even though she's a Cobra, stealing Rakki's kiss and being all
silly....she's still a Child. A sad child.
I feel like a very bad person watching her cry in
ront of me. Ci-N and her family are rich but she's poor in
parental love. She begs for time from them. She always says it's okay
even if they're not there, because I'm right there by her side. She
said I was the one who criticized her family's shortcomings.
My grip on the invitation tightened. I was annoyed! I'm angry with myself ! I'm angry because I fooled myself!
I'm angry because their lies
have ruined so much for me! I'm angry because they fooled me! I'm angry because even though they hurt me,
there's a part of me that's looking for them. There's a part of me that wants to come to them and accept them.
But it's not possible anymore.... We're not the same as before! "S-sorry Ci-N... It's not going back to the way it
was." I whispered . I let go of the invitation and quickly went to the bathroom to take a shower. For the last
time, even if it never happens again. I want to see Ci-N smile again like there's nothing wrong with her, like
she's the happiest person in the world, like her smile can make you smile too. For the last time. After taking a
shower, I got dressed. I brought my wallet and cellphone. When I left my room, I saw Kuya Angelo right away. I
was about to tell him but he turned his back on me. He still seemed to be upset with me. I chose to say
goodbye to Aunt Gema. Mama didn't seem to be there because I hadn't seen her since this morning. Before
going out the gate, I looked around. Maybe someone was following me and trying to take my life. I still hadn't
gotten over that 'we want her dead' thing. I don't know who they were. Maybe later, they'll pretend to be
beggars to get close to me. "Sister, beg." "Shutanginamers!" I shouted loudly while holding a karate chop in my
hand. The young beggar looked surprised because of his sudden departure. I was surprised too! What if my
suspicion was true. "Who are you?! Who sent you here?! Tell me! Tell me!" I said while twirling my hand in the
air. I felt like an action star! His hand was still shaking as he waved it and shook it . "I-I'm Shan. W-nobody sent
me." I narrowed my eyes at him while examining his entire body. His legs were covered in dirt and wounds. He
also smelled bad and looked like he had never bathed. "No one really sent you here? No one came to you to
pay you and then told you to come to me?" I asked. He shook his head. He looked like he was about to cry.
Tears were welling up in his eyes. I lowered my hand but still didn't take my eyes off him. "C-can I s-can I s-
leave now?" He said goodbye as he slowly walked away. "Wait a minute!" I shouted and it felt like he was
going to have a heart attack. He was in too much of a hurry! I grabbed my wallet and took out a coin. I handed
it to him and he looked at me in surprise. "I thought you were begging? Oh there you are!" He slowly raised his
hand to reach for the coin. He took it and immediately raised one eyebrow when he saw the amount I handed
him. "Is that all?" He asked, a little annoyed. Wow... He only took the 10 pesos. "Why?! You don't want it? It's
mine..." I said while taking the money back but he pulled his hand away. "...I guess you don't want it." "No... But
maybe you can add more?" Wow! The beggar was demanding... "Well, if I beat you up!" I threatened while
giving him a slap on the head. "Okay, sister, you scared me!" Oh, I couldn't handle the young beggar. I frowned
and took my wallet out of my pocket again. I took out 100 pesos and handed it to him. "Oh, there you go! Stuff
it in your lungs!" I said annoyed but he just laughed at me. "...Okay! Go away! Go home and take a bath. My
perfume is embarrassed by your smell." He smelled himself for a moment. "I don't smell at all." "What? There
you go! I smell you so bad. Even flies don't want to land on you." "That's yours, sister... Remember, your nose is
close to your mouth." Oh wow! Wow really... "What if I put your nose and mouth together? Bet you? Ha?!" I
threatened. He backed away slightly while laughing. I was still hitting the kid. Just a little on the head. I solved
it. "Go home now! Don't be so stubborn!" He raised the money I handed him while walking backwards and
smiled at me. "I'll buy some rice! Thank you for this, Ate!" I just motioned for him to leave. He quickly ran away.
I don't know but I suddenly remembered Ci-N from him. I wish I could make him smile like that again. I
continued walking towards the corner. I parked my jeep and quickly got in. I went to the nearest mall. I still had
no idea what gift I was going to give him. I was hoping it would be a toy but I knew he already had a lot . I was
hesitant about the clothes because he might not be able to wear them with all the clothes he had. I didn't
know his shoe size. While looking around the department store, I saw someone familiar. Rakki... I was about
to turn around but it seemed like she had already seen me. She came up to me with a smile while holding a
paper bag. "Hi, Jay!" She greeted me cheerfully. "Hello..." I forced my answer. She seemed to sense that I didn't
eel like facing her. Her smile had slightly disappeared from her lips. I wasn't mad at her or anything. I just
didn't feel like facing anyone. "Are you looking for a gift for Ci-N?" She asked hesitantly. I nodded. "You too?"
"Yeah." We became silent after that. I looked around a little and she did the same. I didn't want to send her
away or leave her because I seemed like the rude one. So even though it was against my will... "W-do you want
to look together?" I said. She immediately smiled and nodded. My plan to look alone was ruined . How can I
think of a gift to give if I have someone to talk to? We are currently in the men's section of the department
store. I didn't like anything for him. I want to have something for myself. Why am I looking at the Men's Section
or something to wear ? "Jay... Do you want to eat first?" Rakki asked and that's when I felt hungry. I held my
stomach and looked at him. "Okay." "I'll take care of where, I'm free." He said and held my hand as we walked.
Oh my! I stumbled again for free... Rakki took me to the restaurant. The waiter with the menu smiled at us and
pointed to our table. I looked confused as I watched Rakki talk to the waiter. I only just realized that Rakki is
rich. I said before that he looked like an angel but I thought he was just as poor as I was ----I mean, he's rich
but that's it. "I ordered, do you want to add anything else?" He asked, bringing me back to my senses. I shook
my head slowly. "W-it's gone. Thank you." He spoke to the waiter again. I looked at him again. I looked at his
finger wearing a diamond ring. It's so pretty! "Is it beautiful?" He asked and I looked up at him. " My brother
gave it to me." I had something like that too.... Yuri gave it to me. I just smiled and nodded. He was lucky with
his brother. While I was lucky. Two of my brothers. One with a scythe and one with a fang. One crazy person
who looked like he was bathing in a skunk. "How are you and Ci-N?" He asked, stopping me. From the tone of
his speech, it seemed like he already knew what happened to us in Section E. That was probably the reason
why he invited me. "Hmmm... I don't know." I had no answer. He bowed and looked at my hand. "I apologize for
Ci-N." I was right... He knew. "H-you don't have to apologize for her." He took a deep breath and looked at me.
He held one of my hands that was resting on the table. "You're important to Ci-N." He said, making my heart
skip a beat. "... he always brags about you to me." Shit! I bit my lower lip hard. "You don't have to do this." He
let go of my hand. We looked at the waiter holding the tray. Our order had already arrived. We were silent while
eating. I really didn't understand why he had to do this. Why was he the one apologizing for Ci-N. As we
continued eating, a family near our place was laughing. They clapped for a moment so I looked at them. There
was a boy in front of them dancing while smiling . The boy's parents were all supportive. "Ci-N has never
experienced that before." Rakki said. "... His family supports him in whatever he wants." I know... He told me
before. "His brother and sister are mad at him. I don't know if it's because they're jealous or just really annoyed
with him." He added. I know they've known each other for a long time. Ci said that Rakki used to go to their
place but they didn't talk much. Until they became classmates in the second year but Ci-N ended up in Section
E because of Freya's actions. "Are you and Ci-N really dating?" I didn't have a question of my own. Rakki turned
to me and smiled. "Something special." Aruy... What's that special? Ordered a goto from the corner. My
orehead creased slightly. I didn't want to say it yet. With the number of stolen kisses Ci-N had given him, I
would think they were dating. "But do you like him?" I asked and his cheeks quickly turned red. "O-yes..."
"That's right! The other one is dead to you. What are you waiting for?" He winced at what I said. "Jay-jay, eh!
You saw Ci- N, right? She has a fourteen-year-old body and a four-year-old mind." She had a point. "...And one
more thing, I don't want to have a boyfriend at fourteen. It would be too complicated, maybe if Ci was 18 and
we still liked each other. Maybe I was the one to give her a motive." I
was embarrassed. At the age of fourteen,
I was already accepting a suitor. We were waiting at the corner so we could go in together. I was so excited
because it was my first time dating. He was gay. That 's when I realized that relationships shouldn't be taken
seriously . That's why when Cyrus courted me, it was like nothing happened to me. Because I didn't want to
have too many feelings. "But I felt sorry for him." He said, which surprised me. "... His parents are proud of him
because he's smart. But they don't let him show it. Then sometimes they force him to do things he doesn't
want to do, which is why he's becoming more and more childish." He sighed. "...It got even more complicated
because he ended up in Section E. Sometimes he doesn't obey his parents and listens to Keifer more." WHY
DO YOU NEED TO MENTION THAT SNAKE?! I almost threw the cutlery at Rakki. Luckily I remembered what we
were talking about. Just relax! Relax! "That's why I'm so angry with those barbarians! They taught Ci to be
naughty. His older brother is so angry now. Then he doesn't want to fix his studies even though it's so easy for
him." He added. To be honest, Ci-N doesn't seem smart. Because he's just a jerk. That's why I had the courage
to bet with him before. That's where I proved the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover'. I was 17 years old
and then got beaten by a 14-year-old with an IQ as high as Albert Einstein's. "But do you know what changed in
him when he met you?" He asked and I immediately shook my head. "...He became more energetic. His
childish nature also came out more but in a fun way. He no longer felt bad if his family didn't have time for
him." He smiled at me. "...Because you were there. You were his sister and made him feel the word family." I
just felt my tears fall. I couldn't help it. It was like something was making my heart smile because of what he
said. I didn't know that I had that effect on him. If only you knew Ci-N. You also changed my life. I smiled at
Rakki. "Help me." "W-where?" "I know what gift I'm going to give Ci-N." He immediately smiled as if he was
thrilled. We hurriedly ate our food and we were as excited as ever to do it. After paying for our food, we
headed straight to the gift shop to buy what we needed. The toy store was our next stop. "Let's just do it at
home." Rakki said and I nodded. We were waiting for a taxi outside the mall when I noticed something. On the
other side of the road, right in front of us. A motorcycle had stopped and the driver seemed to be looking at
us. I remembered the motorbikes that followed me and started racing . How are you doing on my bike? These
guys are really cool! "Do you know me?" Rakki asked, which made me look at him. "... you were staring at him
so hard." I shook my head and smiled. "It was like the driver was looking at me so I was watching him." He
didn't ask any more questions because the taxi arrived. We got in and Rakki immediately told us the address.
During the trip, I couldn't help but look back. It was weird but I had a feeling he would follow us. Next time, I'll
definitely borrow David's social instinct. For now, I'll focus on the gift I'm giving to Ci-N. I just hope she likes it .